WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition
Don Granato knows the value of an early goal. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Historically, NHL teams that score first or hold the lead at the end of the first period go on to win the game.
The Sabres won only 15 of their 56 games last season, finishing dead last. Still, when they opened the scoring, they compiled a strong 8-6-5 record. When they led after 20 minutes, they went 4-3-4.
Sabres coach Don Granato brought up the value of an early goal or lead Wednesday ... Read the full article
JJ Peterka stayed in Buffalo until the end of training camp. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – After Don Granato told prospect JJ Peterka the Sabres would be assigning him to the Rochester Americans, the coach stopped center Casey Mittelstadt in the hallway and asked him about his 36-game stint in the AHL.
Granato wanted to learn more about Mittelstadt’s surprising demotion two years ago, which turned out to be a turning point in his career.
“He had a half smirk, half smile on his face,” Granato said following Monday’s ... Read the full article
Casey Fitzgerald could earn a recall this season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres trimmed their roster again today, waiving winger Axel Jonsson-Fjallby and sending defenseman Casey Fitzgerald and forward Brandon Biro to the Rochester Americans.
They now have 24 healthy players – 15 forwards, seven defensemen and two goalies – on the roster. They must finalize their 23-man roster for Thursday’s season opener by 5 p.m. Monday.
To reach that number, the Sabres will likely reassign another forward.
Jonsson-Fjallby, 23, skated in the pregame warm-up ... Read the full article
JJ Peterka scored three goals in five preseason games. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – If the Sabres assign rookie JJ Peterka to the minors this week, his stint with the Rochester Americans could be short. The German arrived here last month nearly an NHL-ready prospect, having spent two seasons playing pro hockey against men.
Sabres coach Don Granato has watched Peterka, who scored in Saturday afternoon’s 3-1 preseason win over the Detroit Red Wings, acclimate quickly to North American hockey.
“He absorbs what’s in front of him, ... Read the full article
John Hayden played for three teams before joining Buffalo. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Over the past three seasons, winger John Hayden bounced around the NHL, playing for the Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils and Arizona Coyotes before signing a one-year, two-way contract with the Sabres.
Hayden, 26, has usually served as a fourth-liner or an extra forward, never playing more than 54 games in a season. Still, he has stayed put in the NHL. Other than a 37-game stint in 2017-18, his first full pro season, ... Read the full article
Zemgus Girgensons also played in the 2014 Olympics. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – When Sabres center Zemgus Girgensons represented Latvia in an Olympic-qualifying tournament late in the summer, NHL players hadn’t committed to participating in the 2022 Beijing Games.
“But I still decided to go over and compete in the qualification because even if I wasn’t going, what it means to other players back home to go is a big thing,” said Girgensons, who played for Latvia in the 2014 Sochi Games, the last time the ... Read the full article
Jack Quinn played three preseason games for Buffalo. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres trimmed their training camp roster again this afternoon, sending wing prospects Jack Quinn and Brett Murray to the Rochester Americans.
The Sabres now have 27 players – 16 forwards, nine defensemen and two goalies – left in camp.
Quinn, the eighth overall pick last season, played three preseason games, compiling one assist and two shootout goals. Following two shaky outings, Quinn enjoyed a strong night in Tuesday’s 5-4 road shootout loss ... Read the full article
Aaron Dell played two preseason games for Buffalo. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon waived struggling goalie Aaron Dell, meaning they could begin the season with veterans Craig Anderson and Dustin Tokarski in net.
Dell, 32, compiled a 0-0-1 record with a 5.57 goals-against average and an .838 save percentage in 65 minutes played over two preseason games.
In Tuesday’s 5-4 road loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Dell relieved Tokarski, allowing three goals in 35 minutes of game action and four goals in ... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen played two preseason games. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – On the surface, goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s preseason looks disappointing. Instead of forcing the Sabres to keep him, they demoted the Finn to the minors 10 days before opening night.
Luukkonen, 22, compiled a 0-2-0 record in two starts, allowing five goals in each game.
Still, coach Don Granato said Luukkonen, one of seven players the Sabres sent to the Rochester Americans on Tuesday, enjoyed “a great camp.”
“In a progressive way,” Granato ... Read the full article
Dustin Tokarski played 13 games for Buffalo last season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Very quietly, Sabres goalie Dustin Tokarski has enjoyed a stellar training camp, allowing just one goal in nearly 53 minutes of preseason action.
Tokarski, 32, has outplayed newcomer Aaron Dell in the competition for the backup job behind Craig Anderson.
Tokarski will start tonight’s road exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Penguins before Dell relieves him. Another strong outing by Tokarski could cement a roster spot.
Earlier today, the Sabres sent top goalie ... Read the full article